Global Dialogue Dinner: The Flightpath to Sustainable Aviation

Humanity faces an existential challenge in dealing with climate change and global warming. The aviation industry accounts for around 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, and 3.5% when non-CO₂ impacts on climate are considered. It is one of the hardest to abate and will need radical collaboration from its stakeholders to ensure it continues to thrive and fuel global economic activity by connecting the world.

Meridian brought together Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic, senior foreign diplomats, U.S. government officials, think tanks, NGO representatives, and airline industry leaders on April 27, 2023, at White-Meyer House, for a curated dinner discussion to explore some of the most relevant issues and opportunities concerning sustainability. The big question on the table: how can the aviation industry take on the challenges of climate change while still satisfying the global demand for aviation?

Attendees discussed how the U.S., EU, and the UK aviation industries and governments can come together to achieve carbon reduction through the harmonization of private sector efforts and public policies. Other subjects that were highlighted included the Jet Zero Strategy, as well as how the U.S. government is prioritizing incentives over mandates to achieve the SAF Grand Challenge. The conversation also included the roles of airlines in the shift towards sustainable fuels. By creating and strengthening the networks and connections among stakeholders, Meridian is helping to create a deeper level of coordination among the key players in the industry, with the goal of finding solutions towards a more sustainable future.

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A man smiling
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Two men standing
Secretary Rodney Slater, Partner, Former Secretary of Transportation, Squire Patton Boggs, and Peter Carter, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Delta Air Lines, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
A woman smiling
Kimberly Carnahan, CEO, Neoteric Energy and Climate, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
A man and a woman sitting down
Jason Larrabee, Manager, Federal Affairs, Downstream & Chemicals, Chevron, and Jane Thompson, Director of Aviation, Travel, Tourism, ICF, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
A man and a woman sitting down
Tim Cade, Head of Transportation Policy Office, Embassy of the UK, and Holly Boyd-Boland, Vice President, Corporate Development, Virgin Atlantic, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Three people sitting at a table chatting
Holly Boyd-Boland, Vice President, Corporate Development, Virgin Atlantic, Joe Shanahan, Managing Director, Global Co-Head of Aviation, Citigroup, and Kevin Welsh, Director, FAA Office of Environment & Energy, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Three people smiling sitting down
Peter Carter, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Delta Air Lines, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
A man talking and smiling
Congressman Rick Larsen, Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Three people sitting and talking
Francisco Sanchez, Partner at Holland&Knight, Maria Pica Karp, Vice President, Global Government Affairs, ADM, and Nicholas Calio, President, and CEO of A4A, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
A man sitting and talking with his hands folded
Nicholas Calio, President, and CEO of A4A, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Two people sitting and talking
Erik Hansen, US Travel, and Alex Flint, President of Alex Flint Climate Solutions Foundation at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Three people sitting together
Michael Sargeant, Vice President, Renewable Aviation, Americas, Neste, Chris Raymond, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boeing, and Annie Petsonk, Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs, DOT, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Bob Letteney, Vice President - International Government Affairs Delta Air Lines, Jason Larrabee, Manager, Federal Affairs, Downstream & Chemicals, Chevron, and Natalie Jones, Executive Vice President, Meridian International Center, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.
Julie Oettinger, Managing Director, Delta Air Lines, Kevin Welsh, Director, FAA Office of Environment & Energy, Jacob Schultz, Deputy Director, Office of Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of State, at a Global Dialogue Dinner on Sustainable Aviation on April 27 at White-Meyer House, Washington DC. Photo by Oskar Dap.

Project summary

Global Dialogue Dinner: The Flightpath to Sustainable Aviation | April 2023
Number of Attendees: 24
Regions: Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, Near East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Western Hemisphere
Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Impact Areas: Business and Trade, Energy and the Environment, Science and Technology, Transportation
Program Areas: Diplomatic Engagement
Partners: Private Sector